A Southampton animal rescue centre is appealing for residents to take on some of its dogs after being inundated with ownerless pets.

The Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) in Mansbridge has said it is desperate for foster homes to take on some of its animals - as the country has 350,000 more dogs than it did prior to Covid.

In August 2023, staff at the SCAR told the Echo it was experiencing the worst situation in its 35 year history due to the lockdown puppy boom and sky-high vet bills.

Seven months on, the centre says the situation has “only got worse”.

Rose Milne, 72, the rescue co-ordinator at the Mansbridge shelter, said: “These dogs have so many issues after being bought during Covid and not having an ordinary life.

“We had a three-year-old dog that came to us that had never seen grass – now that just isn’t right.

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“Some people that decided on getting a dog in lockdown did not put in the necessary care, training and attention and animal sanctuaries are now being left to pick up the slack.

“This coupled with the prices that vets are charging is making it impossible for sanctuaries to survive.

“We have found that vet bills have more than tripled since pre-Covid levels.”

SCAR is now appealing says they need as many people as possible to come forward - but need five or six immediately to get them out of the emergency.

The ideal homes would need a secure garden, no small children and, if possible, a well trained role-model dog for a new dog to learn from.

Many of the dogs at SCAR have come from traumatic backgrounds, with some even being starved by their previous owners.

The sanctuary co-ordinator said that two dogs that had been starved began eating their bedding which caused blockages in their intestines.

Rose continued: “This alone cost us just under £4,000 for the vet to treat.

“One dog that is in our care has a skin condition and needs an injection by the vet every month – that cost £160 a month.

“We had another dog with an infection of the uterus which also cost £1,000.

“This is all coming from our donations – most of which come in at Christmas, but dogs need food and treatment all year round.

“It’s a nightmare - animal sanctuaries are falling by the wayside.”